Drive mechanism



June 8, 1954 w. w. MOE 2,680,378

DRVE MECHANISM Filed oct. 2e, 195o A5 ATTORNEYS.

DRIVE MECHANISM Filed Oct. 26, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 2/ WILLIAM WEST MOE BY 5M a f m 4/5 ATTORNEYS Patented June 8, 1954 UNITED STATES OFFICE DRIVE MECHANISM ration of New York Application IOctober 26, 1950, Serial No. 192,231

7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a drive mechanism designed to advance an element thereof a predetermined incremental distance at regular intervals. The mechanism is particularly suitable in conjunction with devices wherein the amount and timing of each incremental advance must be made with extreme accuracy.

For illustrative purposes only, the mechanism of the present invention is described herein as operable in conjunction with a device for scanning lm mounted on a rotatable drum. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to such use.

It is well known that a lm mounted for scanning on a rotatable drum must be advanced, upon each revolution of the drum, by an increment equal to the width of the scanning beam. These increments of advance are extremely small. Thus, for example, scanning may be carried out atthe rate of 250 or 500 or an even greater number of lines to the inch. This requires the film to be advanced .004 or .002 inch or even less, respectively, per revolution of the scanning drum.

Devices have already been proposed to advance a scanning drum axially by the required amount upon each revolution of the drum. One such mechanism utilizes the thread of a screw machined as accurately as possible to advance the scanning drum at a constant speed such that the drum will be advanced an increment of say .004 or .002 inch per revolution of the drum. This mechanism has several serious and inherent disadvantages. Probably the most important of these is that it has been found impossible to machine a screw thread with suiiicient accuracy to avoid formation of objectionable lines in the image or images reproduced by the scanning operation. Another disadvantage is that the rate of advance per revolution of the drum is not adjustable.

It has now been found that the scanning drum can, with extreme accuracy, be advanced stepwise and in an axial direction a predetermined increment of distance upon each revolution thereof by a mechanism which in essence includes a push rod movable endwise on a xed support, a pusher slidable on the rod, a means for reciprocating the pusher with an amplitude equal to the desired increment of the advance, and means for alternately locking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from the rod in timed relationship with the reciprocating motion thereof to advance the rod stepwise toward the scanning mechanism and thereby advance the scanning drum axially during each cycle of movement of the reciprocating collar.

The mechanism is adjustable so that the increment of advance can be increased or decreased at will.

One advantage of the invention is that it provides a mechanism for moving the scanning drum axially from one scanning position to the-next after one line has been scanned and beforethe scanning of the next line begins, thus permitting straight rather than helical scanning.

Other advantages o1" the invention are that the increment of advance is controllable with extreme accuracy, is readily adjustable and that a relatively small number of parts of the mechanism are required to be machined with extreme accuracy.

These and still other advantages, as well as the utility of the invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

' Figure 1 is a, plan view of the mechanism of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end view in elevation taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view in elevation taken along section line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure l is a detailed View in elevation taken along section line t-i of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing the details of construction of the pusher from one end thereof; and

Figure 6 is a View in perspective showing the details of construction of the pusher and the other end thereof.

The mechanism illustrated in Figure 1 includes, generally, a fixed support or base I0, a push rod H movable axially relative to the support, a pusher l2 slidable on the rod Il, an actuating mechanism it and an enlongated transmitter bar I5. The mechanism, such as a scanning device, to be advanced stepwise relative to the support lil, is indicated generally at Il.

The push rod Il is provided at the forward end 2D with a steel ball 2| maintained in abutment with a scanner carriage Il by a tension spring 22 between the carriage il and the pusher rod Il. This connection not only avoids backlash between the rod and the carriage but also provides support for one end of the rod.

The pusher I 2 includes a body portion 24, a pair of fixed collars 26 slidable on the push rod l i, a support and leveling device 21 and a locking mechanism comprising a flexible collar 29, toggle arms 3e, a rocker member 3| pivoted in the body portion 2d, a rocking standard 32 and compression bar 3d projecting from the rocking standard at substantially a right angle, a fixed Standard 36 on the -body portion 24, a lever 31 having a short arm 38 and a long arm 39 pivoted on the standard 36, and a tension spring 40 between the standards 32 and 36.

The transmitter bar I-B includes a fixed portion 4I secured to the support I0, a movable portion 42 and a flex section 44 of reduced cross section intermediate the portions 4I and 42. The movable portion 42 is provided with a steel ball 46 maintained in abutment with the body portion 24 of the pusher I2 by the action of a compression spring 41 urging the pusher I2 toward the right as seen in Figure 1.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the push rod and pusher assembly is supported by the st-eel balls 2I and 46 and the support and leveling device 21.

The actuating mechanism I4 in the embodiment illustrated includes a synchronous motor 59, a gear train indicated generally at 5I, a shaft 52, cams 54 and 56 and oscillating members 51 and `59.

The oscillating member 51 is pivoted on two steel balls 60 above the base thereof and is provided at the top with a cam follower 6I constrained to follow the contour of the cam 54 4by the action of a tension spring 62 secured to the base of the oscillating member 51 at a point below the pivot point 60. A stroke adjusting lever 64, best shown in Figure 4, is pivotally attached to the oscillating member 51 by a lock screw 66 operable by means of a lock lever 61. The lower leg 69 of the stroke adjusting lever 64 is provided with `a ball socket 10 for receiving the ball end 1I of a connecting rod 12 secured at the other end to the other extremity 14 of the movable portion 42 of the transmitter bar I6 by a ball and socket joint 13. The movement of the stroke adjusting lever 64 is limited by stroke presetting stops 15. Substantially parallel to the connecting rod 12 there is provided a tension spring 16 secured at one end to the oscillating member 51 and at the other end to the outer extremity 14 of the transmitter bar I6.

The contour of the cam 54 is preferably such that the oscillating member 51 will move to the left, as seen in Figure 2, with substantially uniform acceleration and deceleration, then remain stationary or at dwell for an interval, then make a relatively rapid return stroke with substantially uniform acceleration and deceleration, and again remain stationary or at dwell for an interval to complete its cycle.

The oscillating member 59, shown best in Figure 3, is pivoted at 11 and is provided `at the top with a cam follower 19 which is constrained to follow the lcontour of the cam 56 by the action of a tension spring 8i) between the oscillating member 59 and a standard 8|. The oscillating member 59 is connected to the long arm 39 of the lever 31 by any suitable means such as wires 82 and 84 and bell crank 86.

The contour of the cam follower 56 is such that the oscillating member 59 will have a long period of dwell in its left position, as seen in Figure 3, a somewhat shorter period of dwell in its right position, and relatively rapid movements between dwell positions.

The positions of the cams `54 and 56 relative to one another on the shaft 52 is such that oscillating member 59 will move from its right to its left dwell position, as shown in Fig. 3, while the oscillating member 51 is in its extreme right dwell position, as seen in Figure 2. The oscillating ISI member 59 will remain in its left dwell position while the oscillating member 51 moves to the left. After the oscillating member 51 has arrived at its left dwell position, the oscillating member is moved relatively rapidly to its right dwell position and remains in that position until the oscillating member 51 has ycompleted its cycle by returning to its right dwell position.

Operation In operation the synchronous motor 55, in cooperation with the gear train 5I, operates to rotate the shaft 52 in synchronism with the rotation of the scanner drum of the scanning mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral I1. When the oscillating member 59, in following the contour of the cam 56, moves from its right to its left dwell position by the action of tension spring 80, it pulls the wires 82 and 84 to rotate th-e lever 31 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure 1. The resulting movement of the short arm 38 toward the rocking standard 32 causes the rocker member 3I to pivot in the body portion 24 of th-e pusher I2 and actuate the toggle arms 39 to tighten the flexible collar 29 around the push rod II and thereby locks the pusher I2 securely to the rod.

While th-e locking mechanism of the pusher I2 remains in the locked position due to the dwell of the oscillating member 59 in its left position, the oscillating member 51 is caused, by the cam 54, to move from its right to its left dwell position. In so doing the oscillating member 5l pushes against and moves to the left, as seen in Figure 2, the connecting rod 12 which, by reason of its engagement with the extremity 14 of the transmitter bar I6 causes the movable portion 42 thereof to move in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 1, around the flex section 44. This movement, in turn, is transmitted to the pusher I2 through the medium of steel ball 46. The pusher I2, being locked to the push bar I I, operates to advance the push bar the desired increment of distance and, by reason of the abutment of the end 20 thereof with the scanner carriage I1, this motion is transmitted to the scanner mechanism.

While the oscillating member 51 is at the left dwell position and the pusher I2 is likewise stationary in its left position, as seen in Figure l, the oscillating member 59 is urged to move to its right dwell position by the cam 55. The tension spring 4U operates to pull the standards 32 and 36 toward one another and in so doing causes f compression bar 34 to act on the short arm 38 of the lever 31 to rotate the lever in a cloclwise direction, as seen in Figure l, and thereby return the wires 84 and 82 to their initial positions. The movement of the standards 32 and 36 towards one another by means of spring 40 operates to raise the rocking member El! and thereby to actuate the toggle arms 3U to release the ilexible collar 29 from its locking engagement with the push rod II.

While the pusher I2 is thus released from locking engagement with the push rod II, and is freely slidable on fixed collars 26, the oscillating member 51, by the action of tension spring 62, is urged to follow the contour of the cam 54 and return to its right dwell position. The movement of the oscillating member 51 to the right permits the pusher rod 12 to move to the right, as seen in Figure 2, and thus relieves the pressure thereof against the extremity 14 of the transmitter bar I6 which is thereupon urged to move to the right, likewise as seen in Figure 2, by the action of tension spring 16. This movement of the transmitter bar i6 permits the pusher I2, due to the force exerted by compression spring 41, to return to its initial position relative to the support le while the disengaged position of the flexible collar 29 allows the pusher l2 to do so without returning push rod Il to its initial position.

If it is desired to increase the increment of distance the push bar H is advanced during each cycle of operation, the stroke adjusting lever 64 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 4, to increase the distance between the ball and socket connection 10, 1I of the pusher rod 'l2 and the pivot point Si) of the oscillating member 51. If it is desired to decrease the increment of advance, adjusting lever $4 is moved counterclockwise. When the ball and socket connection 19, 'H is in the desired position relative to the pivot point t, the adjusting lever 64 is locked by actuation of locking screw 66 through the medium of locking lever El. For convenience, the stroke presetting stops i5 may be so positioned that upon engagement of the lever 64 with one the mechanism will automatically be set for Z50-line scanning and upon engagement of the lever with the other stop it will be set for 5()0line scanning.

It is to be understood that many changes and alterations will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this description and that the mechanism of the present invention is by no means confined to the function of advancing a scanning mechanism. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. Drive mechanism which smooth-surfaced push rod movable endwise, a pusher slidable on the push rod, first means for iocking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from locking engagement therewith, a second means for reciprocating the pusher axially of f the rod, and means for alternately actuating said nrst and second means in timed relationship successively to lock the pusher on the push rod, move the locked pusher in one direction to advance the push rod, release the pusher from the push rod, and return the unlocked pusher to its initial position without moving the push rod.

2. Drive mechanism which comprises a smooth-surfaced push rod movable endwise, a pusher slidable on the push rod, a gripping member on the pusher for locking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from locking engagement therewith, means for reciprocating the pusher axially of the rod, and means for alternately actuating the gripping member and the reciprocating means in timed relation successively to loci: the pusher on the push rod, move the locked pusher in one direction to advance the push rod, release the pusher from the push rod, and return the unlocked pusher to its initial position without moving the push rod.

3, Drive mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein the gripping member comprises a flexible collar adapted to be tightened around the push rod to lock the pusher to the rod and loosened to permit substantially frictionless sliding of the pusher axially of the rod.

s. Drive mechanism which comprises a push rod movable endwise, a pusher slidable on the comprises a push rod, a gripping member on the pusher for locking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from locking engagement therewith, means for reciprocating the pusher axially of the rod, and means for alternately actuating the gripping member and the reciprocating means in timed relation successively to lock the pusher on the push rod, move the locked pusher in one direction to advance the push rod, release the pusher from the push rod, and return the unlocked pusher to its initial position without moving the push rod, wherein the reciprocating means includes a transmitter means comprising an elongated bar xed against movement at one end and having a flex portion of reduced cross section intermediate said fixed end and the remainder of the bar permitting limited movement of said remainder relative to the fixed end, said remainder of said elongated bar being in abutment with the pusher and said means for actuating the gripping member being operatively connected to said gripping member.

5. Drive mechanism which comprises a push rod movable endwise, a pusher slidable on the push rod, a gripping member on the pusher for locking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from locking engagement therewith, means for reciprocating the pusher axially of the rod, and means for alternately actuating the gripping member and the reciprocating means in timed relation successively to lock the pusher on the push rod, move the locked pusher in one direction to advance the push rod, release the pusher from the push rod, and return the unlocked pusher to its initial position without moving the push rod, wherein said reciprocating means comprises a rst cam on a driven shaft, a rst cam follower in engagement with the first cam, and means to transmit the motion of the nrst cam follower to the pusher, and said gripping means comprises a second cam on said driven shaft, a second cam follower, a flexible collar around the push rod and carried on the pusher, and means to transmit the motion of the second cam follower to the iiexible collar alternately to lock and release the pusher, the positions of the rst and second cams relative to one another on the shaft being such that the second cam will maintain the pusher locked to the push rod while the first cam actuates advancement of the pusher from an initial position and the second cam Will release the pusher from locking engagement with the push rod and maintain it in said released condition while the first cam acuates a return of the pusher to its initial position.

6`. Drive mechanism for advancing stepwise the scanner carriage of a rotatable film scanf ning drum a given incremental distance at each revolution of said drum, which comprises a push rod movable endwise, one end of the push rod being in abutment with the scanner carriage, a pusher slidable on the push rod, first means for locking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from locking engagement therewith, second means for reciprocating the pusher axially of the rod and with an amplitude equal to said given incremental distance, and means for alternately actuating said first and second means in timed relation with rotation of the scanning drum successively to lock the pusher and the push rod, move the locked pusher in one direction to advance the push rod said given incremental distance, release the pusher from the push rod, and return the unlocked pusher to its 7 initial position without removing the push rod from abutment with the scanner carriage.

7. Drive mechanism for axially advancing a smooth-surfaced push rod a given incremental distance at regular intervals Which comprises a pusher slidable on the push rod, a gripping member on the pusher for locking the pusher to the rod and releasing it from locking engagement therewith, means for reciprocating the pusher axially of the rod, and means for alternately actuating the gripping member and the reciprocating means in timed relation successively to lock the pusher on the push rod, move the locked pusher in one direction to advance the push rod, release the pusher from the push rod, and return the unlocked pusher to its initial position Without moving the push rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 555,841 Adams Mar. 3, 1896 682,554 Kassbauer Sept. 10, 1901 1,523,819 McClintock Jan. 20, 1925 1,629,375 Brice May 17, 1927 1,837,027 Drake Dec. 15, 1931 1,977,523 Taylor et al Oct. 16, 1934 

